Most of the international participants were born outside Israel and learned Hebrew through schools, youth movements, family settings and community programmes.
Milette Shamir, Vice President for International Affairs at Tel Aviv University, said: “The Hebrew Olympiad continues to reveal the remarkable curiosity, enthusiasm, and sense of connection that the Hebrew language inspires among young people around the world, bringing together Jews and Arabs in Israel alongside learners and lovers of Hebrew across the globe.
“Through the Olympiad, participants are exposed not only to the richness of modern Hebrew, but also to dimensions of the language not always encountered in the classroom, including its origins, its place within the Semitic linguistic sphere, and its role within the broader family of world languages. At the same time, the program fosters creativity, intellectual curiosity, and original thinking, deepening participants’ engagement with Hebrew as a living, evolving language and as a cultural bridge connecting communities and generations worldwide.”
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Professor Vardit Ringvald, Director of the Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture, said: “The Hebrew Language Olympiad is a unifying force that brings together speakers and learners of the Hebrew language around the important mission of promoting Hebrew in Israel and around the world. It fosters cultural connection, intellectual curiosity, and a shared appreciation for one of the world’s oldest and most historically rich languages, inspiring new generations to engage with Hebrew in creative and meaningful ways.”
All international participants will receive certificates and prizes and will be honoured at an awards ceremony at Tel Aviv University in June. Winners of the overseas track are expected to be announced this week.
The Hebrew Language Olympiad was founded in 2021 with the aim of encouraging young people to engage with Hebrew through linguistic challenges not typically encountered in the classroom.
